Old jail, shopping center is breaking out as Old Town San Clemente

Dec. 19, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Amber Booth of San Clemente attends a Christmas Boutique on Saturday at Old Town San Clemente, where she shows a living cross with succulents she sells for $40. Booth says she started selling her living decor in September. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Events coordinator Tom Rucktenwald, left, and owner Eric Brenn see big things in 2013 for Old Town San Clemente, formerly known as Old City Plaza. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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San Clemente's Hailey Hatch, 16, shows earrings at Old Town San Clemente that she makes and sells for $6 a pair. Hatch uses local sources for all her crafts, which also include aprons, knitted gloves and hats. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Catrina Gula stands alongside an ocean photo taken by her boyfriend, Larry Beard, as she shows artworks at a Christmas Boutique at Old Town San Clemente. The photo, "Moon Eclipse," depicts ocean foam as it rolls onto the beach. It sells for $1,200. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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This garden Frosty the Snowman is made by Judy Brocato, owner of Treasures of the Heart in San Clemente, who was offering it and other wares at a Christmas Boutique at Old Town San Clemente. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Mackenzie Hudgins, 15, of Laguna Niguel performs at Saturdays craft boutique at Old Town San Clemente, one of the special events the revamped commercial center is offering to attract visitors. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Special-event chef Krista Padilla shows two of many holiday-inspired gifts she was offering for sale Saturday at a Christmas Boutique at Old Town San Clemente. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Jewelry maker Hannah Catherine, 22, of Dana Point uses a pine cone to display some of the items she makes, such a spinner ring in sterling silver for $40 and a birthstone ring for $30. She set up shop Saturday at a craft boutique at the Old Town San Clemente commercial center. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Larry and Jennifer Rausch of Dana Point show a small zine they bought from Hannah Catherine for $1 at Saturday's Christmas Boutique at Old Town San Clemente. The message reads, "The dogs of doom stand at the doors of destiny. Dare to defy them & dream." DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

Amber Booth of San Clemente attends a Christmas Boutique on Saturday at Old Town San Clemente, where she shows a living cross with succulents she sells for $40. Booth says she started selling her living decor in September.DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

A little history

• From 1928 to 1962, what is now Old Town San Clemente was the site of the San Clemente Jail, as historian Doris Walker-Smith recounted in her book "The Heritage of San Clemente."

• The police station fronted Avenida Miramar, as did the volunteer fire station. City Hall was just up the street on the corner of Miramar and El Camino Real.

In 1928, the village of San Clemente had 650 people when it incorporated as a city, Walker wrote. A blacksmith shop, maintenance shops and warehouses were added later, spanning a full block between Avenida Miramar and Avenida Palizada.

• That lasted until 1962, when City Hall reopened on the other side of a new freeway. The police and fire departments relocated there too.

• Old City Plaza was developed in 1974, and for a time the San Clemente Historical Society's museum held court there.

• Special events to attract visitors to the center, for example a Christmas Boutique that was held Saturday in the parking lot.

• A Walk of Stars commemorating San Clementeans of note, from town founder Ole Hanson to former President Richard Nixon

• Outdoor church services on Sundays

• The Icons Room, where knickknacks of Americana will be on display and you can attend seminars, burn calories in a zumba class, book a birthday party (indoors or out) or host a wedding reception.

• Next to that, a new restaurant will be known as The Precinct, where, among other things, you'll be able to dine in one of San Clemente's original jail cells.

CHANGING SCENES

The Icons Room may eventually morph into another restaurant. The icons will remain.

"All the decorations are available for sale," Rucktenwald said, "so it'll be a constantly changing, replenishing thing. As this grows potentially into another restaurant, then we'll have look-alikes – people who pretend to be celebrities who may be here at any time. Out of the blue, a waiter may step up and break into song."

ABOUT THE NAME

Why rename it Old Town San Clemente? "It's directly in the center of San Clemente," Brenn said. "My business does Internet marketing. One of the factors is how do people look up something to do with the center of town – and it's 'old town.'

"And you're merging the history of town with the present."

WHAT'S NEXT

Old Town San Clemente plans to host a health expo Jan. 12. Meanwhile, Brenn said there is talk of a history-themed mural on the back of the building.

"You had the astronauts that came here under Nixon, and a lot of just fun stuff that a lot of people don't really know about," he said.

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